Cooking timing machine



April 19, 1949. D. G. HILL, JR 2,457,537

COOKING TIMING MACHINE v Filed Sept. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-She et 1 2.9 so 20 5o lllllllllll Ill 2s 4 F g. /6 m F g. 3 Fig. 4

' INVENTOR- A ril 19, 1949. H JR 2,467,587

COOKING TEMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1945 4 Shts-Shet s IN V EN TOR.

April 19, 1949. D. G. HILL, JR 7 2,467,587

COOKING TIMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1945 4 SheetS- -Skieet 4 j L] l J 3 Fig. [5

INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 19, 1949 UNIT E D S TAT-ES I E A EEN T F F 1 CE 'COOKINGTIMNGMACHINE David G; Hill, Jr., New Orleans", La.

- Application September 101 1945, Serial No. 615,416

"The invention 'relatesto "improvements in "cooking time machines *in'which a shuttle op- '"erates on'external helicalribs or threads of a revolving rod, pipe or cylinderin'conjun'ction with aiwheel, a lever, or a segment of a wheel, to

'close, or cut-off the valve or valves of a'burner or burners'of a gas range, a gas cooking stove or a gas oven in a predetermined lengthof time'or "interval; and the'objects of the improvements are first, to providean automatic device or machine 'whlchmay he easily set in motion to tinguishthe' flames emittingfr'om burners of a gas range, a gas cookin-g'stove or a gas oven in a predetermined length of time; second, to provide a device to'autoinatically extinguish such'flai'n'es at the terminationof the desired interval; and

"third, to provide a machine which after having accomplished the extinguishmentof said flames, will automatically disengage itself, or for'economy of construction, will disengageitself upon the I .first manual opening of the said cut ofif valve,

from "the cut-off mechanisms of such ranges, stoves or ovens, so that-manual operation of such cut-"off mechanisms may be resumed without" in- 4 terference from'the foodtirner, in order to'afiord facilities for the extinguishment of a gas flame being utilized for cooking food in a predetermined length of time, thereby allowing the cook full freedom to attend to other affairs with'confiderice that the flame or-fiames'will be automatically extinguished as desired.

The objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from'the following description and the accompanying drawings and'will be pointed out in theappended' claims,

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention:

Figures 1 to 4 inclusive; 12, 13 andl l, and '15'to "18 inclusive are sectional views of the fully automatic foodtimer. Figures to' 11, inclusive, are sectional'views of the semi-automatic timer. v

Figure l is a view in' horizontal of'the'fully automatic food timer from a central position automatic food timefwith the mechanism en closed in'c'a'singififl. Figure 13 is a viewin horizontal in the line G 6" of FigurelZQFigure 14' is a view in horizontal on the line 5+5 ofFigurelZ,

"Figure 15 is a view'in'vertical of the: front of a gas cooking stove with' a fully automaticifood timer in positionover' each "cut-'ofi valve handle and a fractionalhorse power electricmotorw'ith "speed reduction gears (encased) on'the left'side of the stove" on a level 'with""the'food timers and power shafts "('encased) extending from the said speed reduction 'gears through "the food t'inlersjin series. (This viewillus-tiates the position'of the fullyautom'aticfood'timers in respect to the cutoff ha'ndles o'f'a' cooking stove which has loeen manufactured without provision for 'attaching'the foodtiiners; the plans and specifications for rangesjstove'sand ovens provide for positioningthe' fully automatic food timers insidedftheffdnt 'panel just back of thepUSitiOn illustrated in' Figure '15.)

"Figure 16 is anew in vertical on "the line 5 of Figure" lsho'wing the'nec'ked'e'nd'ZZ of cylinder IT "and power shaft""46, "the" necked end 49 0f "cylinder" zll'and"power'shaft48 and the necked end-"52 of slide rod" 3 I, positioned in circular perforations in'the end wall of casing 50, allowing "the said cylindersfs'hafts and theslide rod to re- ;Volve o'r'piv'ot, andthe'rectangular necked end '53'of s'liderod '31, positioned in a rectangular 'perforation in the end Wall of casing '50 holding slide "'rod '3l'in a'fiXed positiomand'also showing slot 60 in'whi'ch trough'li I of wheel segment "54 revolves and drag hook 13 passes when moving into the 'en agementposinon. Figure 17 is a View in 1 vertical o'f' rockefshuttle 23, in the line 8'8-'-'of Fig'ure" 3-showing helical thread 25 on its upper horizontal. projection. Figure 18 is a view 'in verticalof'rockef'shuttle 231m the line 99 of Figure 3 showing helical threads 21 on its lower horizontal projection.

. As shown'in thedrawin'gs'I provide a casing forthef'u'lly automatic food timer in 'the shape of a rectangular box, with adetac'hablelid. The

1 bbttonrplate of'the casing contains a longitudinal 45' 'slot adjoini'ng the rar'wall in which trough 6| of wheel'seg'ninfi 'd l is positioned, allowing the wheel segmenttopivot freely. "Each end wall of the casing is perforated with circular slots which serve-"as h'u'b's' fo'r'the'end'sof cylinders 17 and?!) and slide rod 3| and rectangular perforations which hold the rectangular necked ends '53 of slider'od 37in a fixed position. One end of casing "5o eontains's1ot at the 1owerrear'c6rner; which is a continuation of l'll'ies'a iiil' longitudinal slot'for "wheel segment 54; with an upward extension through which drag hook 43 passes when moving into the engagement position. Lid 5| of casing 50 contains a longitudinal slot 61 in which plunger 24 is allowed to move from side to side along time table 68 stamped into the exterior surface of lid 5| parallel with one edge of said slot 61.

I provide helical threaded cylinder I1, helical threaded cylinder 20, and square slide rod 3| positioned parallel in a triangular arrangement all with circular necked ends which are rotatably positioned in circular perforations in the end walls of casing 50 as illustrated in Figure 16; cylinder I1 is equipped externally with 30 helical threads to the inch, is flared (41) at one end and revolves at the rate of one-half of a revolution a minute; cylinder 2|! is equipped externally with helical threads to the inch to point 2| is flared (l8) toward the end opposite from the flare on cylinder H and revolves at the rate of 100 revolutions per minute; the flare on cylinder 28 is one-half of the width of the diametrical extension of the flare on cylinder |1; rocker pin 34 in Figure 4 (numbered 32 in Figure 3) is secured diametrically to slide rod 33 (numbered 3| in all other figures) at one end and projects into one of three waves of undulating spring 36, the ends of which are secured to the end wall of casing 50 by brackets 35, as illustrated in Figure 4. Rocker shuttle 23 is mounted on slide rod 3| allowing the shuttle to slide freely from one end of'the rod to the other. The shuttle is equipped with a horizontal projection on which is an arc of helical threads similar to the threads on cylinder I1 and is equipped with another horizontal projection on which is an arc of helical threads similar to the threads in cylinder 20.

The two helical threaded projections on rocker shuttle 23, rocker pin 34 and undulating spring 36 are positioned so that when the threads 25 of the upper projection of rocker shuttle 23 mesh with the threads on cylinder l1, the threads 21 on the lower projection of rocker shuttle 23 are disengaged from the threads of cylinder 20 and rocker pin 34 projects into the top wave of undulating spring 36, so that when slide rod 3| is pivoted until rocker pin 34 projects into the cen ter wave of undulating spring 36 the threads on both projections on rocker shuttle 23 are disengaged from the threads of both cylinders I1 and 20, allowing the shuttle to be moved manually freely from one end of slide rod 3| to the other, and so that when slide rod 3| is pivoted until rocker pin 34 projects into the lowest wave of undulating spring 36 the helical threads 21 on the lower projection of rocker shuttle 23 mesh with the threads of cylinder 20 and threads 25 on the upper projection of the rocker shuttle are disengaged from the threads of cylinder l1.

An extension projects from each side of the lower end of plunger '24 down the ends of the upper projection from shuttle 23 and the arms are perforated and hold the ends of pivot 26 which projects through a horizontal bore in the upper projection of shuttle 23. The upper end of plunger 24 passes through longitudinal slot 61 in lid 5| of casing 50 and is equipped with a push button 66 on the upper end with a. pointed extension serving as an indicator over time table 68. as the push button is moved manually longitudinally in slot 61.

Tow-shuttle 38 is composed of a non-rust spring metal in the shape of a saddle, slideably mounted on slide rod 31, with extension 42 of each of its sides down below the level of slide rod 31 which extensions are perforated and hold the ends of pivot 38 of drag hook 43 and with other separate extensions 4| of each of its sides beyond the level of the ends of extensions 42, closing together near their lower ends and then spreading apart at the ends sufliciently to receive the width of drag hook 43, and forming pincers which clasp drag hook 43 and hold it off the floor of the casing and out of contact with trough 6| of wheel segment 54 when drag hook 43 is idle.

Drag hook 43 pivots freely on pivot 39, extends downward from the pivot and then in an arc toward its engagement position so that it clears pincers 4| and curves around the rim of wheel segment when its tooth end falls by gravitation into position where its'tooth hooks over the end of the floor of trough 6|. When the drag hook is held in the clasp of pincers 4| its curved section is positioned horizontally with the tooth end of the lowest level so that when the drag hook is towed longitudinally by tow-shuttle 38 toward the engagement position its tooth end passes slightly :beneath the upper edge of slot 60. Casing 50 at the upper edge of slot 60 strikes the upper curved edge of the drag hook and as the longitudinal movement of the drag hook continues its upper curved edge slides under the edge of the casing forcing the tooth end downward until the drag hook falls out of the clasp of pincers 4| into trough 6| and continues its longitudinal movement until the tooth of the drag hook hooks over the end of the trough. .As towshuttle 38 tows drag hook 43 on the return movement on slide rod 31, the tooth of the drag hook hooks over the end of the trough. As towshuttle 38 tows drag hook 43 on the return movement on slide rod 31, the tooth of the drag hook pivots wheel segment 54 counterclockwise until the gas Valve is closed and during the operation the tooth end of the drag hook is lifted over the arc of the rim of the wheel segment forcing the drag hook up between pincers 4| and simultaneously with the closing of the gas valve dog 45 strikes the lower edge of the elbow of the drag hook lifting its tooth out of engagement with the wheel segment 54, thereby providing for the resumption of the manual operation of the gas cut-off valve handle without interference from the food timer.

One side of tow-shuttle 38 is bent outward at a point near the lower edge of slide rod 31, toward rocker shuttle 23 and then bent into a loop 40 forming a hub for coupling 30. The slot in rocker shuttle 23 through which slide rod 3| passes fits slideably close to the sides and top surfaces of the slide rod and fits slideably close around one lower corner of the slide rod and then extends downward and then runs in a fan shape toward tow-shuttle 38. Coupling 36 has the shape of a rectangular parallelogram, one end of which passes through the loop 40 of towshuttle 38 and the other end passes through the fan shaped slot in rocker shuttle 23 beneath slide rod 3|. The purpose of the said fan shaped slot is to allow the rocker shuttle to pivot with slide rod 3| while attached by coupling 38 to tow shuttle 38.

Wheel segment 54 is in the shape of a fan with a flange at its rim turning down the wheel plate, then outward and then upward forming a trough in which drag hook 43 slides into the engagement position. The handle shaped projection 55 of wheel segment 54 is twisted degrees and then is bent half around stem 58 01' l l the cut-ofi -valve handle. The -handle end '55 of the wheelsegmentis secured to stem-59 byclamp plate'- 5& andscrew bolts 57, andds: 'sumciently lna'rrow tobe mounted on stem- '59- of most all ranges, cooking 'st'oves -and ovens between the -theend of trough -tilv of -wheel segment E i-when,

tow-shuttle -38-is-prop'el-led:on slide rod Site the end-wall of the timer "casing containing slot 60.

Powershaft is geared to-the last of the series of-speed* reduction; gears of r a: fractional horse power electric motor-and revolves: at the speed of i one-half of-a revolution a=minute Power shaft M8 is geared to an intermediate gearin said series, and revolves at the: speed of 108 revolutions-=21 iminute. Power-shaft Ali-passesthrough helical 1 threaded cylinder 4 l andissecured to'the cylinder uby a set screw. Power shaft'tfl: passes through helical threaded cylinder and is secured to the cylinder by a set screw. The timers: are helcl 1 in apesitionon-the front panel of-the range, stove or oven by the power-shafts which connect at one end with the speed reduction: gears of the electric ,1 motorwhich-is secured-to the'side panel of the I range, stove or oven by bolts, and by the pro- ,j ection of the-other endsor the power shafts into hubs in a bracket which is secured to the front .panelof the range, *stoveor oven by bolts, as "illustrated in Figure "15.

The purpose of theadjustable helical. cylinders i-mounted on-the powershafts: is to utilize a single 1 source -of power for-a single cooking timer or for two ormore cooking timers operating'on'the same range, stove or-oven in series,-- and'to space the timersapart according-to the distance between -the cut-01f valves of any rang-e; gascooking stove or gas oven.

When not fun-ctioning themechanisni of the automatic food-timer willbe in the neutralpcsition, with rocker-pin .i tprojectingintothe center wave in undulating spring dfi, and helical threads 25 and 2!- on. rocker-shuttle 23 disengaged from the threads of cylinders ll and 2E.

" With cylinder 17- revolving at the speed of one half a revolution a minute and cylinder 2E3 revolving at the .speed of' 100 revolutions a minute,

to set'the fully automaticfoo-d timer for the-de- 4 sired time interval and start it to iunction,.- push button 66 is manually movedhorizontally inslot 61 along time table taunt-i1 its pointed edge is over the desired time interval, and the push button is then manually: pressed downward pivoting rocl: shuttle-23 together with slide rod 3l until the upper end'ot rocker pin 34 moves from the center -wave'in undulatingspring 36 to the highest wave and helical threads 25. rnesh with the helical threads on revolving cylinder ilwhich propel the rocker shuttle onslide rod 3tto-the end of the threads on flare f-l, When threads 25'm'ove-up to the 'crest offiare 47, rocker shuttle 2.3 is pivoted until rocker-pin Stmoves from the highest waveto the lowest wave in undulating 7 spring 36, helical threads 25 of rocker shuttle 23 disengaged from the threads of cylinder ii, and helical threads" 21 of ro'cker' shuttle fitmesh with the threads-of revolving cylinder" 20*at the end of the desired time in'terval. As rocker shuttle-1 under the upper edge of i slot iiii' thereby pivoting drag hook 43 downward until itis :pulledfrom thegrasp of pincers- 4! and falls by'gra'vit'ation into trough 6| of wheelsegmeht 54- andthe-tooth of the draghook catches around the end -of the 4 floor of the trough simultaneously with the-rocking of shuttle '23 from engagementwith'revolving cylinder I? to engagement with revolving cylinder 2U -asaforementioned. Rockershuttle '23; then 5 immediately begins -to' m'ove in the reverse direc- ':"ti'on 'on thethreadsoi 'revolving'cylinder 20 dra ing tOWShut6lB 33-3 1'0ng thereby" dragging drag "hook :33 and thus pivoting-wheel segment '5 3 un'til :the cut-off valve' i'of the' i gas range gas cooking stoveor gas oveniis' closedin the-predetermined length of time. :While the drag hookis pivoting the Wheel segment,; 'the' tooth end of the drag Ihook rises over-the arcf'of the 'rim'oi the wheel segment and thei idrag hook-i is forced:- between 'the clamp of pincers tl and siniuitaneously with the closing of thew-gas val-ve the lower edge ofthe elbow of drag hook 33- strikes dog 45 forcingzthe 'drag hook upward u'ntil its-toothzis lifted 'out of engagement with the wheel segment, and ithus -allowing resumption of the rnanual operation "of 1 the said gas cut-ofi' va'lve' handle without-interference from the? fully automatic :f'ood' timer. Tow-shuttle 38'cont'inues to-be drawn-by rocker .-1 shuttle 23 until threads-2'! of the rocker shuttle move up to the crest=of -fiare 48 on cylinder wand the rocker shuttle' ispivoted until rocker pin 34 moves from the lowest wave' cf undulating spring -36 into the center-wave and the helical threads of the rocker sliuttlaare disengaged from helical threads of "both cylinder Hand cylinder 20, allowing manualmov'ement'of push button back and forth slot Bl.

The fully automatic'foodtimer'closesthegas cut-offvalve--in-"approximately six seconds'af-ter the-expiration of the predetermined time interval.

The fully automatic food timer-- in casing-teas described herein is'for -attachment to gas ranges, gas cooking stoves or gas'ovenswhich have been mauiacturedwithout provision for attachment the stem of thenut-off handle inside of the stove walls. Provisions'may he made in plans and specifications fora-gas ranges, gas cooking stoves and gasovens yet to be manufactured for positioning the fully automatic food timers inside of .the-wallsof such ranges, stoves or ovens over the stem of the-cut-oir valve handle-with K vertical platessecured'tothe front-panel of the range, stove or 'oven-i-to function as hubs for slide rod 3!, and as a bracket for slide rod STandundulatingspring tt and-one helical threaded cylinder [1 and one -helical threaded cylinder Edmay projectdirectlyifrom the speed reduction gears of -the electric motor through the timer in: series and the separatecylinders =f-oreach timer eliminated similar to the arrangement shown in Figure ll Figure '7 is a view in vertical section ofthe semiautomatic food timervon the' line H-l i of Figure 6, Figure sis a'view inhorizontal oi the semiautomaticifood -timer on'the line |2i2 ofEigure 5, Figure 9 is wa -view in horizontal'ofthe semi-automatic food timer on the line I3-I3 of Figure 5, Figure is a cross section view in vertical section of shuttle H8 in the line I4-I4 of Figure 5, Figure 11 is a sectional view in horizontal of a cooking stove with a semi-automatic food timer mounted on the stem I03 of each cutoil valve handle I32, with cylinder I I1 in its service position and connected to the axis of the last in the series of speed reduction gears (enclosed in casing I34) of a fractional horse power electric motor.

I provide a rod or cylinder II1 equipped externally with helical threads or ribs to the inch which is positioned horizontally parallel with the front panels of a gas range, a gas cooking stove or a gas oven, above stems I03 of the cut-off valve handles. Positioned parallel with cylinder H1 is slide rod I'I8 with longitudinal grooves I29 and I30 on which is slideably mounted shuttle I'I9 comprising a ring band I2I extending approximately three-fourths around slide rod II8 with a vertical projection positioned horizontally across the band on which is an arc of helical threads similar to the threads on cylinder H1, and a curved leaf spring I23 projecting at its center section into a longitudinal groove in slide rod H8 and secured to the shuttle by brads, plunger I26 with two arms I3I extending from one end which are perforated, which perforations hold the ends of pivot I28 which projects through a bore in the shuttle projection. Plunger I26 projects through a horizontal slot in the front panel of the range, stove or oven along the edge of which is a time table similar to the slot 61 and tim table 68 in Figure 13 for the fully automatic food timer. The plunger is equipped on the end which projects through the slot with push button I21. The function of longitudinal groove I30 in slide rod II8 with the projection of spring I 23 into groove I30 is to hold shuttle I IS in a fixed position rotatably as the shuttle is propelled on the helical threads of cylinder II1 longitudinally on slide rod H8. The function of groove I29 is to hold the shuttle in a fixed position rotatably on slide rod I I8 when the shuttle is disengaged from helical threads of cylinder II1, allowing the shuttle to be moved manually longitudinally on slide rod H8. The function of plunger I26 is to tow shuttle II9 longitudinally on slide rod '8 as plunger push button I21 is moved horizontally manually, and to revolve shuttle I I9 until the projection in spring I23 moves from groove I29 to I30 of slide rod II8 thereby causing the helical threads on the shuttle extension to engage with the helical threads of cylinder II1, when the plunger is pressed longitudinally manually.

Two disks I02, each perforated at the center with a round hole and connected at the circumference of the hole by a ring, are mounted on and are secured to stem I03 of the gas cut-off valve handle. A projection is extended through the upper arc of each disk, which extensions form arms. Rotatably mounted between the two disks is wheel segment IOI, thereby holding the wheel segment in an upright position and allowing the wheel segment to pivot freely between the disks. A dog is secured to wheel segment I'0I in its upper section on each side by brads passing through the wheel plate and through the dogs. Dog I06 on the front side extends outward and then forward. Dog I05 on the rear side extends outward and then forward, then backward, then outward again and then forward again. The

first outward and forward extension of the dogs serve as catches for the arms of disks I02 when the gas cut-off valve is opened manually. The projection of dog I05 which forms a U in tuming backward, then outward and then forward, serves as a catch II6 for latch IIO. Wheel segment IOI is equipped with flanges forming a. trough I 04 at its rim comprising a channel for coil spring II3, which is secured at one end by hooking through a perforation H5 in the wall of the side of trough I04 at one of its ends and is fastened at the other end by hooking through perforation I I4 in bracket II2 which is secured to the front panel of the range, stove or oven. Bracket I01 is secured to the front panel of the range, stove or oven on a level with slide rod II8, and its lower section is bent outward; and then is bent to the right, then outward slightly, and then to the left forming a U, both sides of which are perforated, which perforation forms hubs for the ends of pivot III for gravity lever latch H0. The purpose of the short, vertical arm of latch IIO, extending above pivot III is to reduce the distance shuttle II9 has to travel after striking the lever arm until the horizontal latch end of the lever is lifted out of an engaged position with catch II 6 of dog I05. The latch end of lever latch IIO tapers upward to a point in order to provide a slide lift for the lever when the catch II6 of dog I05 strikes the angular edge and lifts the lever until the latch tooth drops into catch II'6. Projection I20 acts as a stop for lever latch I I 0 and holds the catch end of the lever in a horizontal position So that catch II6 will strike the angular edge of the lever when wheel segment IOI revolves.

With cylinder I I1 revolving to set the semiautomatic food timer in motion in order to close the cut-off valve in a predetermined length of time, push button I21 is manually moved sidewise along the time table until its pointed edge is over the desired time interval and the push button is then manually pushed until the projection in spring I23 secured to shuttl IIO moves from groove I30 into groove I29 of slide rod H8 and the helical threads I24 engage with the helical threads on cylinder H1 and shuttle II9 is propelled on slide rod II8until it pushes the short vertical arm of lever latch IIO to the left until the tooth on the latch end is lifted out of catch I I6, allowing coil spring I I 3 to swiftly pivot wheel segment I'0I causing dogs I05 and I06 to simultaneously strike the arms of disks I02 forcing the disks to revolve until the said cut-off valve is closed in the predetermined length of time.

Trip I08 is secured to cylinder H1 and is equipped on its engagement end with an arc of a helical thread rising gradually from the surface of cylinder on the trip and engages the threads of shuttle II9 immediately after the shuttle has disengaged lever latch I I0 from catch II 6. As the thread on the end of the shuttle projection engages the thread on trip I08 the shuttle is forced to pivot and continues to pivot as the diametrical extension of the trip moves against the helical threaded extension of the shuttle until the threads of the shuttle are disengaged from the threads of the cylinder and the projection on spring I 23 moves from groove I30 into groove I29 and holds the shuttle in a fixed rotary position to be moved manually longitudinally on slide rod H8.

The only difference in the manual operation of the fully automatic food timer and the semiautomatic food timer is that the fully automatic food timer automatically disengages itself from aeeatew cut-ofi alv'eis fullyopen, thus turning wheel 6 segment mr. to its original position and latching. it there with coil spring stretched and ready to' close. the valve again, and with" the semi-automatic' food timer. disengaged from the. key to the. cut-off valve allowing thegresumption oftthe. manual operationof the-valve without interference -fromthe semieautomaticiobd timer.

The. semi-automatic food timer. has the. same.- aptitude' for utilizinga single. source. ofwpowen. for, operation singly or in series as .thefully auto,- matic. food timer, as. aforementioned.

When the. semi-.automatictfood.timersare to be afiixed to gas.ranges,..gas cookingstovesor gasovens which.v have been manufactured without provisions I for attaching the semi-automatic food I. timer to the stems. of the-cut-off vvalve. handles. onthe insideofthe. front panel, the-food timers may be. mounted on. said stems onathe outside between the front panel. .anditheout-01f svalve handle, and a casing ,or shieldmay be provided. by securing a plate. horizontally ,to the front-panel above the food timenmechanisms,extending out-. ward and .then downward andtequipped with. longitudinalslots. for the projection of control plunger and with-time tablesalong -the dipper edge-of the slots. The semi-automatic food'- timers have -.the same utility for attachment-t0 the stem of the cut-oil valve inla narrowspace betweenthe cut-offi-vaive handle and the front: panel of the range, stove or-oven, as mentionedhereinbefore for the-fully automatic food-timer; Disks E02 "of the semieautomatic foodtimer may be-secured-to the key to the cut-off-valve by means 1 of a flange equippedwith a setscrew; or

if the space is toonarrow, the. disks-may -be-* weldedto the saidkey, or a -new -handlewith'a longer stem may be suppliedpreferablythe latter:

The fractional horsepower electrical motormay be an electric motor of-the=rproper-power,

equipped with Worm or-other gears to'reduce the applied speed-from thespeed off the motor toone-half of a revoiution per minute, or if circum s ances warrant a hand-wind power spring maybe substituted, equipped withanysuitable clockwork mechanism to regulate the-power escapement,-in order that" the applied power will revolve the helical threaded rod, pipe or. cylinder of the food timers. at the-speed er? one-half of a revolu= tion per minute.

I claim as my invention:

In combination a fluidv control apparatus means comprising screw threaded shaft,

for driving saidshaft, aroddisposed adjacent and parallel to said. shaft, atplural-ity. of=shuttles corresponding. in-number. tothelnumben .of va1ves--,

slidably mounted on said rod, complementary means on said shuttle selectively enga eable with the threads on said shaftwhereby upon rotation oi'said shaftsaid shuttlewill be moved along said rod and means carriedby'said shuttle for initiating operation of said actuating means upon a predetermined movementof said shuttle whereby said valves will be closed after a-predetermined' time interval,

2. In combination a fiuid control apparatus comprising a valve'having a stem; manually engageable means on'said stem foropening saidvalve, a segment fixed on said stem, actuating means operatively associated-with'said segment for closing said valve, timing means'for initiating 1 operation of said actuating means comprising a screw threaded shaftymeansfor driving said shaft; a roddisposed adjacent and parallel to said shaft, a shuttle'slidably'mounted onsaid rod, complementary means on said shuttleselec= tivelyengageable with the threads on said shaft whereby upon rotation of' said shaft-said shuttle" will be moved along'said rod and means carried by saidshuttle for initiating operationof said actuating means upon 'a predetermined movement of said shuttle whereby said valve-will be closed after a predetermined time interval;

3. In combination a gas control apparatus'com prising a plurality of valves having stems, manu-. ally engageable meanson'each .stem for opening said valves, a pawl fixed on each'of said stems, a

timing mechanism for closing said valves after a predetermined time interval comprising first and sesond spaced shaftsmeans for. driving ,each of said shafts, each ofsaid shafts .having a plurals ity of spaced threaded portions, one for each of said valves, the threaded portions on said first shaftterminating atone end in ataperedenlarged portion, a rod rotatably supported in spaced relation andparallel to said shafts, a plurality. of shuttles, onefor each .of said valves, slide.

ably mounted on said rod, each of said shuttles having a complementary portion for alternate engagement with a threaded portionof said first and second shafts, a fixed rod disposed parallel to and 1 spaced from said shafts and said rotatable rod, a

rider for each of said shuttles slidably disposed on said fixed :rod, a pluralityof. spring fingers on eachlrider; a link connecting one of the spring fingers of-each rider.with its associated shuttle,..

a dog pivotally mounted on the other spring.

fingerof each rider, said dog being normally held in .inoperative position between said spring fingers, an..elongated spring having ,a plurality of 1 depressed portions mounted on each ofsaid riders, a finger mounted on each .of said shuttles and .en-.

gaging said spring whereby upon engagement of.

saidfingerwith one of said depressions the co.-

operatingmeans on said shuttles will engage said firstshait and upon engagement of said finger with a second depression said cooperating means will be in neutral position and..upon engagement. of said finger with'a third depression said. second shaft will beengaged, a finger engaging member secured to. each of said shuttles for selective engagement of said cooperating meanswith either of said shafts or in neutral position and for positioning said shuttle axially of saidshafts, whereby upon engagement .of. said cooperating .means with. the threaded portion of saidfirst shaft said-shut-. tle will move toward the. tapered enlarged portion.

and upon engagement therewith saidcocperating means..will bemoved .into engagementv with the threaded portion ofsaidsecond shaft and-through the operationl.of.. said.links.said dogs. .will bev .re-. leased to engage said pawl and said shuttle will 11 be moved at a relatively rapid rate in the opposite direction to close said valves.

4. In combination a gas control apparatus comprising a valve having a stem, manually engageable means on said stem for opening said valve, a pawl fixed on said stem, a timing mechanism for closing said valve after a predetermined time interval comprising first and second spaced shafts, means for driving each of said shafts, each of said shafts being threaded, the threads on said first shaft terminating at one end in a tapered enlarged portion, a rod rotatably supported in spaced relation and parallel to said shafts, a shuttle slidably mounted on said rod, said shuttle having a complementary portion for alternate engagement with the threads of said first and second shafts, a fixed rod disposed parallel to and spaced from said shafts and said rotatable rod, a rider slidably disposed on said fixed rod, a plurality of spring fingers on said rider, a link connecting one of the spring fingers with said shuttle, a dog pivotally mounted on the other spring finger, said dog being normally held in inoperative position between said spring fingers, an elongated spring having a plurality of depressed portions mounted on said rider, a finger mounted on said shuttle and engaging said spring whereby upon engagement of said finger with one of said depressions the cooperating means on said shuttle will engage said first shaft and upon engagement of said finger with a second depression said cooperating means will be in neutral position and upon engagement of said finger with a third depression said second shaft will be engaged, a finger engaging means secured to said shuttle for selective engagement of said cooperating means with either of said shafts or in neutral position and for positioning said shuttle axially of said shafts whereby upon engagement of said cooperating means with the threads of said first shaft said shuttle will move toward the tapered enlarged portion and upon engagement therewith said cooperating means will be moved into engagement with the threads of said second shaft and through the operation of said link said dog will be released to engage said pawl and said shuttle will be moved at a relatively rapid rate in the opposite direction to close said valve.

5. In combination a gas control apparatus comprising a valve having a stem, manually engageable means on said stem for opening said valve, a pawl fixed on said stem, a timing mechanism for closing said valve after a predetermined time interval comprising first and second spaced threaded shafts, the threads on said first shaft terminating at one end in a tapered enlarged portion, means for driving said shafts, a shuttle mounted for slidable movement parallel to said shafts, complementary means on said shuttle for alternate engagement with the threads on said first and second shafts, a rider mounted for slidable movement parallel to said shafts, a plurality of spring fingers on said rider, a link connecting one of the spring fingers with said shuttle, a, dog pivotally mounted on the other spring finger, said dog being normally held in inoperative position between said spring fingers, a finger engaging member secured to said shuttle for selective engagement of said cooperating means with either of said shafts or in neutral position and for positioning said shuttle axially of said shafts whereby upon engagement of said cooperating means with the threads of said first shaft said shuttle will move toward the tapered enlarged portion and upon engagement therewith said cooperat- 12 ing means will be moved into engagement with the threaded portion of said second shaft and through the operation of said link said dog will be released to engage said pawl and said shuttle will be moved at a, relatively rapid rate in the opposite direction to close said valve.

6. In combination a control apparatus comprising an operating member, manually engageable means on said member for moving the same in one direction, a pawl fixed on said member, a timing mechanism for moving said member in the opposite direction after a predetermined time interval comprising first and second spaced threaded shafts, the threads on said first shaft terminating at one end in a tapered enlarged portion, means for driving said shafts, a shuttle mounted for slidable movement parallel to said shafts, complementary means on each shuttle for alternate engagement with the threads of said first and second shafts, a rider mounted for slidable movement parallel to said shafts, a dog pivotally mounted on said rider, resilient means on said rider for normally holding said dog in inoperative position, a link connecting said resilient means and said shuttle, a finger engaging member secured to said shuttle for selective engagement of said cooperating means with either of said shafts or in neutral position and for positioning said shuttle axially of said shafts whereby upon engagement of said cooperating means with the threaded portion of said first shaft said shuttle will move toward the tapered enlarged portion and upon engagement therewith said cooperating means will be moved into engagement with the threaded portion of said second shaft and through the operation of said link said dog will be released to engage said pawl and said shuttle will be moved at a relatively rapid rate in the opposite direction to thus move said operating member.

'7. In combination a gas control apparatus comprising a plurality of valves having stems, manually engageable means on said stems for opening said valves, a segment fixed on each of said stems, tension springs each having one end thereof secured to said segments and the opposite ends fixed whereby upon movement of said valves to open position said springs will be placed under tension, a catch on each of said segments, pivotally mounted latches engageable with each catch to hold said valves in open position, a timing mechanism for initiating closing of said valves, comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, means for driving said shaft, a plurality of threaded portions on said shaft one for each valve, a rod disposed adjacent and parallel to said shaft, a plurality of shuttles one for each valve slidably mounted on said rod, cooperating means on said shuttles for selectively engaging the threaded portions of said shaft whereby upon rotation of said shaft said shuttles will be moved along said rod, finger engaging means for selectively engaging said cooperating means with saidthreaded portion and positioning said shuttles axially of said shaft and means on said shuttles for engaging and releasing said latch members upon a predetermined movement of said shuttles whereby said valves will be closed by the action of said springs.

8. In combination a gas control apparatus comprising a valve having a stem, manually engageable means on said stem for opening said valve, a segment fixed on said stem, a tension spring having one end thereof secured to said segment and the opposite end fixed whereby upon movement of said valve to open position said spring will be placed under tension, a catch on said segment, a pivotally mounted latch engageable with said catch to hold said valve in open position, a timing mechanism for initiating closing of said valve comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, means for driving said shaft, threads on said shaft, a rod disposed adjacent and parallel to said shaft, a shuttle slidably mounted on said rod cooperating means on said shuttle for selectively engaging the threads on said shaft whereby upon rotation of said shaft said shuttle will be moved along said rod, finger engaging means for selectively engaging said cooperating means with said threads and positioning said shuttle axially of said shaft and means on said shuttle for engaging and releasing said latch member upon a predetermined movement of said shuttle whereby said valve will be closed by the action of said spring.

9. In combination a gas control apparatus comprising a valve having a stem, manually engageable means on said stem for opening said valve, a lever fixed on said stem, a tension spring having one end thereof secured to said lever and the opposite end fixed whereby upon movement of said valve to open position said spring will be placed under tension, a catch on said lever, latch means engageable with said catch to hold said valve in open position, a timing mechanism for initiating closing of said valve comprising a threaded shaft, means for driving said shaft, a slidably mounted shuttle having means for selectively engaging the threads on said shaft whereby upon rotation thereof said shuttle will be moved axially, finger engaging means for selectively engaging said cooperating means with said threads and positioning said shuttle axially of said shaft and means on said shuttle for engaging and releasing said latch means upon a predetermined movement of said shuttle whereby said valve will be closed by the action of said spring.

10. In combination a control apparatus comprising an operating member, manually engageable means on said member for moving the same in one direction, a lever fixed on said member, a tension spring having one end thereof secured to said lever and the opposite end fixed whereby upon movement of said member in one direction said spring will be placed under tension, a catch on said lever, latch means engageable with said catch to hold said member in one position against the action of said spring, a timing mechanism for initiating movement of said member in the opposite direction comprising a threaded shaft, means for driving said shaft, a slidably mounted shuttle having means for selectively engaging the threads on said shaft whereby upon rotation thereof said shuttle will be moved axially, finger engaging means for selectively engaging said cooperating means with said threads and positioning said shuttle axially of said shaft and means on said sh uttle for engaging and releasing said latch means upon a predetermined movement of said shuttle whereby said member will be moved in the opposite direction under the action of said spring.

DAVID G. HILL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,007,415 Bates Oct. 31, 1911 1,257,352 Horn Feb. 26, 1918 1,516,402 Ordway Nov. 18, 1924 2,067,266 Gikow Jan. 12, 1937 

